Sometimes people I know speak their language to people who know how to speak english around me. Sometimes I feel like they are being rude. Does anyone else feel this way and why?
2006-11-20 06:05:40 · 17 answers · asked by Jolisa 2 in Society & Culture ➔ Other - Society & Culture
When you, and others who know the english language, but also share a different one, speak that other language in the company of somebody you all know does NOT understand you, it is the absolute height of rudeness and downright crass behaviour to deliberately exclude that person from your conversation by using that form of communication. I can think of absolutely no exception to that -- except perhaps (as has happened to me in foreign countries, the other people briefly discuss among themselves, in their own tongue, some difficulty choosing the exact word in english to express their meaning. Then, having decided, they turned back to me with a smile and explained what the problem had been.
2006-11-20 06:15:14 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
I understand what you are saying. I have a fiance that speaks a different language and she often speaks to others who speak English in her own language. However, as it was explained to me, this is done sometimes just so they can retain the language. Language is an integral part of culture, and people should be able to celebrate their own cultures (give it that they do not cause harm to anyone else). However, even if they were saying something about you or something they didn't want you to hear it is no different than when people speak English only talk about you. I'm just saying that sometimes we have to learn how to let others do what makes them happy. That is to say we have to get over our own ego. But if you find out that they are saying negative things about you, and are not joking, then treat them as anyone else who says negative things about you and disassociate yourself from them.
that's my advice
Peace
2006-11-20 14:19:55 · answer #2 · answered by mybrother 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes, I am offended by that. It's like when your friends used to speak in pig latin around you as a kid. It's rude and non-inclusive....in my opinion....a barrier to civilized society. In America, we speak English. I am not saying that knowing another language is a bad thing, but in day to day life and transactions, we speak English. the ATM machine should not give me a language choice. It should be English. If it can't be just English, then why not list EVERY language on it...besides Spanish? What about the people who know French, who want to use that language? All of a sudden, we all need to learn EVERY language to function? ENGLISH only please.
2006-11-20 14:09:05 · answer #3 · answered by nottashygirl 6 · 2⤊ 0⤋
It *IS* rude. It means they don't want you to know what they are saying. Same as if they leaned over and whispered into the other person's ear!
On occasion, I've had people apologize first, explaining that they don't know how to express themselves perfectly in English, so they are going to speak in another language for a moment to make their point, but they first told me what they were going to try to convey to the other person. That's DIFFERENT ... and that's okay.
Speaking another language to exclude someone who doesn't understand that language is rude.
2006-11-20 14:11:54 · answer #4 · answered by MyPreshus 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
If they can speak English passably well in addition to the other language and aren't talking to you, why should you care? Seriously, in a nation obsessed with personal liberties you would think we would value the right to mind our own damn business. Life is way too short. Besides, knowing another language is edifying.
2006-11-20 17:48:07 · answer #5 · answered by anita.revolution 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
No, because some people prefer to speak in the language they feel most comfortable with; Usally when people get offended by this is because they do not understand . That sense of fear sets in.
2006-11-21 11:43:17 · answer #6 · answered by R. V 1 · 1⤊ 0⤋
i guess it depends on how well they speak English and how long they have been speaking the other language. if they can speak English fluently and it is their first language then yeah it annoys me. but if they are still learning English and it has not been their first language then they are probably more comfortable speaking their own language and are happy they have someone that understands them
2006-11-20 14:11:50 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
some times it depends on the situation like if im taking to my friend i will speak English and i hate it when my sister comes and speaks Japanese or chata anumpa and she wants me to answer her back in either of the 2 languages then my friends ask wat did she say and i cant tell them because sometimes she says mean things about them. but like if I'm taking 2 someone who speaks English and one of my Japanese friends who doesn't speak English i think that is different.
2006-11-20 19:04:53 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yeah, it's rude if it's a social situation. I never thought so until my brother moved out to CA to live with me years ago. He's fluent in Spanish and I learned pretty quickly that often they are talking about you or someone else around them and assuming no one else understands them.
2006-11-20 14:29:32 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
feel as though anyone who comes to the United States needs to speak English as a common courtesy to adapting to our Country and way of life. end of discussion
2006-11-20 14:09:05 · answer #10 · answered by Marvin R 7 · 3⤊ 0⤋